Melony Huber: The Art and Emotion of Fabric

In the third instalment of our four-part interview series with Melony Huber, founder and design director of La Peony, we step into the tactile world that defines her designs: fabric, texture, and movement. Huber opens up about the emotional language of textiles, the role of comfort in luxury, and how styling informs her creative process. Every material, she explains, tells a story from the softness of Italian cotton terry to the fluidity of tencel-modal blends and serves as the starting point for garments that move with women and elevate confidence.

You’re known for your attention to fabrics — what’s the first thing you notice when you touch a new material? 

I pay exceptional attention to fabric feels.  The first thing I notice is how the fabric feels against the skin.  A fabric must invite touch and should feel comforting, yet elevated.  I look for a natural softness, a certain fluidity or structure depending on the intention of the design.  For me, fabric isn’t just the foundation of a garment.  It is the emotional starting point.  The right textile has a quiet language which tells me what it wants to become.  I love this part of designing.

How does texture influence the emotions or confidence a garment gives its wearer?

Texture has an incredible ability to shape how we feel.  Our soft cotton terry, cashmere and tencel blends evoke a sense of ease and calm, while our sleek rib or tencel-modal fabrics can make a woman feel sensual and powerful.  At LPC, I choose textiles that connect emotion and function - materials that move beautifully and feel as good to wear as they look.  For me, true luxury is emotional.  It’s the confidence that comes from comfort and refinement coexisting.

Do you design with movement in mind — imagining how the fabric flows on the body — or does that come later in the process? 

Yes, I absolutely design with movement in mind.  From the very beginning, I think about how a garment will respond as a woman moves through her day, whether walking, sitting, working, or celebrating.  The only way to create something truly wearable is to design for life in motion.  At LPC, I focus on fabrics and construction that drape beautifully and silhouettes that move with the body rather than against it.  The goal is to make every piece feel like a reliable companion, not a restraint.

You also work as a stylist — how does styling feed your design instincts? 

While I am more behind the scenes as a designer, I also think as a stylist.  Styling keeps me connected to how women actually wear their clothes, how they move, layer and personalize each piece.  It reminds me that versatility and individuality are just as important as design itself.  When I create, I imagine how a style can adapt to her mood, body, and lifestyle.  Adding a woman’s favorite accessories or additional styles for practicality or self-expression just further enhances the beauty, comfort and versatility of LPC’s core timeless styles.

What fabrics or textile techniques are exciting you most right now? 

I am drawn to fabrics that blend modern innovation with natural comfort.  LPC’s core collections are built on materials like tencel-modal with a hint of elastane or Italian cotton terry - fabrics that feel structured yet soft, elevated yet effortless.  I’m also inspired by textiles that incorporate subtle texture such as tonal weaves, refined finishes, and tactile details that bring depth without being ornate.  I take pride in how LPC’s fabrics embody our slow-fashion philosophy:  elevated, versatile, and sustainably made.  Our styles may embody quiet luxury, but our fabrics speak confidently.  LPC produces the kind of quality you can feel before you even touch it.

In your view, what makes a look timeless rather than trend-driven? 

Timeless to me means styles that feel good on the skin, flatter the body, and never follow a trend.  It’s about creating pieces that women instinctively reach for, not because they’re on trend in the moment, but because they make them feel themselves.  At LPC, I design with that kind of longevity in mind.  When a garment is made with integrity, thoughtful proportion, and beautiful fabric, it transcends seasons.  True timelessness isn’t loud. It's quiet confidence, ease and elegance and never goes out of style.

How important is comfort in the conversation about luxury fashion? 

To me, comfort is the foundation of modern luxury.  A piece can be beautifully designed, but if it doesn’t feel good on the body, it loses appeal.  I believe luxury should allow a woman to move, breathe and feel at ease in her own skin.  At LPC, comfort is built into every decision from the softness of the fabric to the stretch, drape, and ease of construction.  That philosophy has guided the success of our resortwear and what I like to call “lux-leisure.”

Can you share a piece from La Peony that best represents your love of texture and form? 

The Megan Long-Sleeve Top sits at the top of the list of bestsellers - and for good reason.  Made from Italian cotton terry, this piece embodies meticulous attention to detail with its signature neckline, top quality gold-tone zipper made in Los Angeles and a silhouette that feels both relaxed and refined.  What makes it special is the balance it strikes:  it has the softness and ease of a sweatshirt, yet drapes beautifully on the body to create a polished, feminine shape.  The tailoring allows it to move simply from a day at the office to an evening dinner. The Megan Long-Sleeve Top perfectly captures LPC’s love of texture, form and versatility, a true reflection of quiet luxury that’s designed to be lived in.

For Melony, fabric is far more than a medium; it is the heartbeat of design. Through careful selection, attention to texture, and a commitment to movement and comfort, she transforms everyday garments into timeless expressions of personal style. The Megan Long-Sleeve Top exemplifies this philosophy, merging meticulous tailoring with effortless wearability. In this interview, Huber demonstrates how the emotional and functional qualities of textiles create quiet luxury — pieces that women return to season after season, each stitch a reflection of thoughtful design and refined living.